Background Globally, all medical laboratories seeking accreditation should meet international quality standards to perform certain specific tests. Quality management program provides disciplines targeted to ensure that quality standards have been implemented by a laboratory in order to generate correct results. The hallmark of the accreditation process is method verification and quality assurance.

Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) stimulates angiogenesis that leads to the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Alu repetitive elements in ACE gene increase the expression of this enzyme. We investigated the frequency of Alu repetitive elements, insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, in angiotensin-converting enzyme among diabetic retinopathy patients and whether this polymorphism

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder, characterized byacute exacerbation and remission phases. Immune system has a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) is a macrophage secreted protein activating immune cells to produce cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate HMGB-1 levels among patients with schizophrenia both in acute exacerbation

Background Coronary ischemia can lead to myocardial damage and necrosis. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases often includes increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense. The study aimed to assess levels of ischemia modified albumin (IMA), malondialdehyde acid (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase in individuals diagnosed with ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Background To compare four automated immunoassays for the measurement of 25(OH)-vitamin D (25-OHD) and to assess the impact on the results obtained from a healthy population. Methods We analysed 100 serum samples on Unicel DxI 800 (Beckman Coulter), Architect i1000 (Abbott), Cobas e411 (Roche) and Liaison XL (DiaSorin). Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman plots were used for method comparison

Background Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a disease associated with the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress is one of the factors responsible for its etiopathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in pSS patients. Methods The study included 68 pSS patients and 69 healthy controls. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis (total thiol, native

Background: Coronary artery disease as a consequence of atherosclerosis is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients. Homocysteine (HCY), as one of the risk factors, and uric acid (UA) as the most common antioxidant in serum have their roles in the processes of inflammation and atherogenesis, which underlie the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction

Background The complete blood count (CBC) with differential leukocyte count (DLC) is one of the most common tests requested by physicians. The results of this test are affected by storage temperature and time of incubation. This study was designed to evaluate the stability of hematologic parameters in blood specimens stored for 48 h at three temperatures. Methods K2-EDTA - blood was collected from

Background: To investigate the influence of lipid metabolism disorders on the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Methods: A total of 200 subjects participated in the study, 100 of whom experienced DVT with or without PTE, and 100 healthy subjects representing the control group. We classified patients and controls in terms of serum concentrations of chylomicrons, LDL, IDL, VLDL, and HDL particles, as those

Background: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4), a member of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family, transports, and regulates the activity of IGFs. The pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) has proteolytic activity towards IGFBP-4, and both proteins have been associated with a variety of cancers, including lung cancer. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the use of IGFBP-4

Background Altered levels of many hematological parameters have been directly associated with diabetes in adults, while studies on children with type 1 diabetes mellitus are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine hematological indices in diabetic Bosnian children in comparison to healthy controls as well as to correlate their levels to blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c. Methods 100 healthy

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARSCoV-2 virus, which has given rise to a global sanitary emergency. The clinical characteristics of COVID-19 are varied and can range from an asymptomatic infection to a mild to severe pneumonia. Recent studies have shown that different laboratory parameters become altered in these patients, and as such are useful as biomarkers to assess the progression

Background Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is frequently increased in inflammatory disorders, and the magnitude of its elevation correlates with disease severity. This study was hence aimed to explore RDW values in patients with psoriasis. Methods The study population consisted of 366 adult patients with mild to severe plaque psoriasis and 366 age- and sex-matched blood donor controls. For

Background Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a common condition and could contribute to poor outcomes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Zn supplementation on serum copper (Cu) to Zn and C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratios (CAR) in HD patients. Methods Seventy-seven HD patients were enrolled in a multicentre simple-blind randomized clinical trial. Only

Background Stress system consists of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the locus caeruleus/norepinephrine-autonomic nervous system (ANS). Traditionally, HPA axis activity is evaluated by measuring its end-product cortisol, while the activity of ANS is assessed using heart rate variability (HRV) indices. Alterations in cortisol levels and HRV measures during laboratory-based stress tasks

Background Accurate diagnosis and classification of von Willebrand disease (VWD) are essential for optimal management. The von Willebrand factor multimers analysis (VWF:MM) is an integral part of the diagnostic process in the phenotypic classification, especially in discrepant cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new Hydragel 11VWF multimer assay (H11VW). Methods Analytical

Background Klotho is a prote˝in that acts as a co-receptor for FGF23. FGF23-Klotho axis has great importance regarding the regulation of mineral metabolism by kidneys. In this study, we analysed FGF23, Klotho, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathormone, Calcium and Phosphate levels of haemodialysis patients in order to investigate the nature of the mineral metabolism disruption in

Background Inflammation is recognized as a hallmark feature of cancer development and progression. The aim of our study was to investigate the significance of serum nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) levels as a circulating marker in the monitoring of inflammation in breast and colon cancer; to show the relationship between NF-κB with inflammatory parameters as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble

Background Inflammation is recognized as a hallmark feature of cancer development and progression. The aim of our study was to investigate the significance of serum nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) levels as a circulating marker in the monitoring of inflammation in breast and colon cancer; to show the relationship between NF-κB with inflammatory parameters as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble

Background In the final phase of clot formation, fibrinogen constitutes frame, whereas factor XIII (FXIII) active form is responsible for the covalent cross-linking of fibrin fibres and plasmin inhibitor (PI), thus contributing to clot stability. It could be expected that any change of coagulation factors' structure affects the clot formation and modulates the atherothrombotic risk. The aim was to

Background In the final phase of clot formation, fibrinogen constitutes frame, whereas factor XIII (FXIII) active form is responsible for the covalent cross-linking of fibrin fibres and plasmin inhibitor (PI), thus contributing to clot stability. It could be expected that any change of coagulation factors' structure affects the clot formation and modulates the atherothrombotic risk. The aim was to

Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a musculoskeletal disorder and one of the major causes of low back pain leading to the disability with high economic repercussions worldwide. This study applied the candidategene approach to investigate the potential association of selected polymorphisms with IDD development in a Jordanian population. Methods MRI-diagnosed IDD patients (N=155) and

Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a musculoskeletal disorder and one of the major causes of low back pain leading to the disability with high economic repercussions worldwide. This study applied the candidategene approach to investigate the potential association of selected polymorphisms with IDD development in a Jordanian population. Methods MRI-diagnosed IDD patients (N=155) and

Background Kit lot change in clinical biochemistry labs leads to variations in patient results. This study planned to identify variations during 60 reagent lot changes in our laboratory during the period from June 2018 to May 2019. Methods A statistical analysis was performed to identify the difference between patient samples results variations and QC results. The long term drift was analyzed using

Background Kit lot change in clinical biochemistry labs leads to variations in patient results. This study planned to identify variations during 60 reagent lot changes in our laboratory during the period from June 2018 to May 2019. Methods A statistical analysis was performed to identify the difference between patient samples results variations and QC results. The long term drift was analyzed using

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects human health worldwide. Our objective was to explore the correlation between urinary retinol-binding protein (URBP) and NAFLD. Methods This cross-sectional study included 445 NAFLD patients and 911 healthy controls. The URBP level and other parameters were measured. Results The URBP level (expressed by the RBP/creatinine ratio) was higher

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects human health worldwide. Our objective was to explore the correlation between urinary retinol-binding protein (URBP) and NAFLD. Methods This cross-sectional study included 445 NAFLD patients and 911 healthy controls. The URBP level and other parameters were measured. Results The URBP level (expressed by the RBP/creatinine ratio) was higher

Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a frequently encountered disorder. This study aimed to identify polymorphisms in ADRB2 in Saudi PCOS development and to study its influence on lipids, hormones, and anthropometric parameters. Methods Saudi females (100) suffering from PCOS and healthy controls (100) were investigated. The estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein

Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a frequently encountered disorder. This study aimed to identify polymorphisms in ADRB2 in Saudi PCOS development and to study its influence on lipids, hormones, and anthropometric parameters. Methods Saudi females (100) suffering from PCOS and healthy controls (100) were investigated. The estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein

Background Radiological and/or laboratory tests may be sometimes inadequate distinguishing glioblastoma from metastatic brain tumors. The aim of this study was to find possible predictive biomarkers produced from routine blood biochemistry analysis results evaluated preoperatively in each patient with solitary brain tumor in distinguishing glioblastoma from metastatic brain tumors as well as revealing

Background Radiological and/or laboratory tests may be sometimes inadequate distinguishing glioblastoma from metastatic brain tumors. The aim of this study was to find possible predictive biomarkers produced from routine blood biochemistry analysis results evaluated preoperatively in each patient with solitary brain tumor in distinguishing glioblastoma from metastatic brain tumors as well as revealing

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and is associated with various co-morbidities. Transient elastography (FibroScan®) is a non-invasive method to detect NAFLD using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). We aimed to evaluate the association of the lipid panel and aminotransferases concentrations with the presence or absence

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and is associated with various co-morbidities. Transient elastography (FibroScan®) is a non-invasive method to detect NAFLD using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). We aimed to evaluate the association of the lipid panel and aminotransferases concentrations with the presence or absence

Background Till to date whether adiponectin AdipoQ gene variation (rs 1501299) is associated with cardiovascular disease, still remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to relate the SNP (rs1501299) of adiponectin gene and oxidative stress in context to CVD in Punjabi women of North West India. Methods In the present case-control study menopausal women with CVD as cases (n=265) and menopausal women

Background Till to date whether adiponectin AdipoQ gene variation (rs 1501299) is associated with cardiovascular disease, still remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to relate the SNP (rs1501299) of adiponectin gene and oxidative stress in context to CVD in Punjabi women of North West India. Methods In the present case-control study menopausal women with CVD as cases (n=265) and menopausal women

Background Association between endocan and nontraditional anthropometric indices, as distinct cardiovascular disease risk factors, has not been examined in previous studies. Endocan is a novel inflammation biomarker with its higher levels involved in cardiometabolic diseases development. Taking into consideration that obesity is an independent risk factor for many cardiometabolic diseases, we aimed

Background Association between endocan and nontraditional anthropometric indices, as distinct cardiovascular disease risk factors, has not been examined in previous studies. Endocan is a novel inflammation biomarker with its higher levels involved in cardiometabolic diseases development. Taking into consideration that obesity is an independent risk factor for many cardiometabolic diseases, we aimed

Background In recent years, the role of vaspin as an insulin-sensitizer has been studied widely. This is the investigation that examined the association of vaspin polymorphism rs2236242 on the vaspin level and the risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin-resistant Iranian pre-diabetic/diabetic population. Methods A case-control study was conducted on 160 participants includes 80 participants holding (FBG)

Background In recent years, the role of vaspin as an insulin-sensitizer has been studied widely. This is the investigation that examined the association of vaspin polymorphism rs2236242 on the vaspin level and the risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin-resistant Iranian pre-diabetic/diabetic population. Methods A case-control study was conducted on 160 participants includes 80 participants holding (FBG)

Background The application of the Lean methodology in clinical laboratories can improve workflow and user satisfaction through the efficient delivery of analytical results. The purpose of this study was to optimise delivery times of the test results at a clinical laboratory, using Lean management principles in the pre-analytical phase. Methods A prospective study with a quasi-experimental design was

Background The application of the Lean methodology in clinical laboratories can improve workflow and user satisfaction through the efficient delivery of analytical results. The purpose of this study was to optimise delivery times of the test results at a clinical laboratory, using Lean management principles in the pre-analytical phase. Methods A prospective study with a quasi-experimental design was

Background Nestin is a neural stem cell protein that plays an important role in cancer stem cells (CSC) development and proliferation. It has been identified as a marker for newly formed endothelial cells and was shown to be preferentially expressed in basal and myoepithelial cells of the mammary gland. HOTAIR is long intergenic non-coding (linRNA) associated with tumorigenesis through promotion of

Background Nestin is a neural stem cell protein that plays an important role in cancer stem cells (CSC) development and proliferation. It has been identified as a marker for newly formed endothelial cells and was shown to be preferentially expressed in basal and myoepithelial cells of the mammary gland. HOTAIR is long intergenic non-coding (linRNA) associated with tumorigenesis through promotion of

Background Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in the body during normal metabolism by means of enzymes and non-enzymatic chemical reduction of molecular oxygen. In case of the prevalence of ROS formation over their elimination, highly reactive free radicals can be accumulated and can cause multiple damages to the biomolecules and cells. Determination of isoprostanes in biological matrices is

Background Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in the body during normal metabolism by means of enzymes and non-enzymatic chemical reduction of molecular oxygen. In case of the prevalence of ROS formation over their elimination, highly reactive free radicals can be accumulated and can cause multiple damages to the biomolecules and cells. Determination of isoprostanes in biological matrices is

Obesity is a serious medical condition, defined as excessive accumulation of fat. Abdominal fat is recognized as the major risk for obesity related diseases such as: hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, stroke, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease etc. Fat accumulation is also related to pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory states. Recently published articles suggest

Obesity is a serious medical condition, defined as excessive accumulation of fat. Abdominal fat is recognized as the major risk for obesity related diseases such as: hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, stroke, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease etc. Fat accumulation is also related to pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory states. Recently published articles suggest

Background Data for predicting severity of patients with COVID-19 infection are sparse and still under investigation. We retrospectively studied whether the admission serum C-reactive protein level (CRP) can serve as nearly predictor of disease severity during COVID-19 infection in comparison with other hematologic and inflammatory markers. Methods We included all consecutive patients who were admitted

Background Since there are no certified therapeutics to treat COVID-19 patients, drug repurposing became important. With lack of time to test individual pharmacogenomics markers, population pharmacogenomics could be helpful in predicting a higher risk of developing adverse reactions and treatment failure in COVID-19 patients. Aim of our study was to identify pharmacogenes and pharmacogenomics markers

Background CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16) is an inflammatory chemokine that mediates renal infiltration of macrophages and activated T cells. Aim: To investigate serum levels of CXCL16 in patients undergoing hemodialysis and their correlation with other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). Methods The study included 40 hemodialysis patients

Background The presence of preanalytical errors is a recurring fact in all areas of healthcare that send samples to laboratories. Increasing the knowledge of possible sources of error in the preanalytical phase has been the objective of this group during the last 10 years. Methods In this study, descriptive research has been carried out using professionals' opinions obtained by means of the Strengths

Background Propolis and N-acetylcysteine have positive impact on respiratory tract health. Also, it has been suggested that they have beneficial effects on serum lipid and oxidative stress status, but the available data are limited and mostly gained from animal models. In this study we evaluated the effects of propolis and N-acetylcysteine supplementation (PropoMucil®) on lipid status, lipoprotein

Background High prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a higher prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Inflammation is one of the important contributors to the pathogenesis and complications of coronary atherosclerotic plaque. Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) and Tenascin-C (TNC) play an important role in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaque as well as its

Background Obesity is responsible for high morbidity and mortality, both in developed and developing countries. It is associated with many chronic and metabolic diseases. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been demonstrated to be a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction in humans and increased ADMA associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been reported in many states. Neopterin (NP)

Background This study aimed at investigating the feasibility of testing for soluble programmed death-1 (sPD-1) and soluble programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1) in serum samples of glioma patients and to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of these two soluble molecules. Methods Serum samples collected from 70 glioma patients before surgery were designated as the pre-operative (Pre) group, samples

Background The aim of this study was to compare serum sclerostin concentrations in patients with thyroid dysfunction with euthyroid control subjects and to assess the relationship between sclerostin and markers of bone metabolism (osteocalcin and beta-cross-laps). Methods The study included 30 patients with thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism) and ten

Background The epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and organ protective properties and their circulation levels are related to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and preeclampsia. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) catalyses the degradation of EETs to less biologically active dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids. Here, we sequenced the promoter region

Background Light transmission aggregometry with lumiaggregometry are methods commonly recommended as a first-line test in platelet dysfunction diagnostic work-up. They are poorly standardized and usually performed in specialized laboratories. For proper interpretation, each laboratory should establish its own diagnostic approach in order to recognize abnormal aggregation patterns. The aim of this study

Although the measurement of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) has now become the cornerstone for diagnosing cardiac injury, both ischemic and non-ischemic, recent evidence has become available that many patients display extra-cardiac causes of cTn elevations and carry a considerably enhanced risk of future mortality. The current literature data suggests that cTn elevations may be equally common

Background Indirect sampling methods are not only inexpensive but also efficient for establishing reference intervals (RIs) using clinical data. This study was conducted to select fully normal records to establish ageand gender-specific RIs for common biochemical analytes by laboratory data mining. Methods In total, 280,206 records from 2014 to 2018 were obtained from Peking Union Medical College Hospital